HARRISBURG, Pa. (October 24) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its quarterly business meeting by encouraging anglers and boaters to take advantage of opportunities to enjoy the water during fall and winter, while remaining safe.
In his report to the Board, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded anglers that while there are often fewer people on the water during the cold weather months, conditions are still fantastic for many popular gamefish species across the Commonwealth, including bass, walleye, catfish, wild and stocked trout, and steelhead that are beginning their annual run on the Lake Erie tributaries. Schaeffer asked anglers, boaters, and hunters to keep safety in mind and to always wear a life jacket while boating, ice fishing, and waterfowl hunting. From November 1 through April 30, boaters aboard most small boats, including all canoes and kayaks, are required to wear a life jacket.
“Fishing and boating are year-round activities in Pennsylvania, and that means being prepared for every season,” added Schaeffer. “Falling into cold water can be extremely dangerous, and even deadly, but wearing a life jacket will keep your head above water until help arrives. So, have a great time on the water and ice this upcoming season -- just remember that a few safety steps before and during each trip will ensure that you’ll be around to make more great memories for years to come.”
Schaeffer also announced that applications are currently being accepted for the PFBC’s Boating Facility Grant Program, Erie Access Improvement Grant Program, and Clean Vessel Act Grant Program. Applications for all three programs are due by December 30, 2022. Information on each program, including application materials, can be found on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
Law Enforcement
Commissioners voted to approve an amendment to bowfishing regulations (58 Pa. Code § 63.8) to add invasive snakehead fish to the list of approved species that can be targeted with long bows, crossbows, spears, and gigs. Snakeheads are an invasive species that are found in some Commonwealth waters, primarily in the southeast region, but range expansion to new waters across the state threatens popular sport fisheries and other species. Many of the states surrounding Pennsylvania already permit bowfishing as a method for harvesting snakeheads to reduce their impact to the aquatic resources where they reside. Under this change, it will remain unlawful to possess and transport live snakeheads and introduce live snakeheads into Pennsylvania waters. The PFBC recommends that all snakeheads caught should be disposed of properly, either by harvesting them for food or discarding them into a waste container, and the fish should not be released back into the water. The amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Fisheries
The Board voted to approve the addition of Penns Creek, Section 03, in Centre and Mifflin Counties, to the All-Tackle Trout Slot Limit program (58 Pa. Code § 65.4c). Penns Creek, Section 03, extends for 7.0 miles from the confluence with Elk Creek in Coburn downstream to 600 meters downstream of the confluence with Swift Run. Section 03 was managed as a stocked trout fishery until 1992 when it was designated by the PFBC as a Class A wild trout stream and the stocking of hatchery-reared trout was discontinued in favor of wild trout management. To address landowner and angler feedback, increase the abundance of large wild Brown Trout in the population, and provide the opportunity to use all tackle types and harvest some trout, a new Miscellaneous Special Regulation (58 Pa. Code § 65.24; slot limit) was established on Penns Creek, Section 03, beginning January 1, 2014. The experimental slot limit regulation allowed for year-round fishing, use of all tackle types, and the harvest of two trout per day that are at least seven inches but less than 12 inches in length, from the opening day of the regular season for trout through Labor Day, with no harvest permitted the remainder of the year. Given the success of the experimental slot limit regulation program on Penns Creek, Section 03, and potential opportunities to utilize this regulation at other suitable wild trout waters, the Commission established a new special regulation program known as Trout Slot Limit in 2021. The Trout Slot Limit program has two subprograms: All-Tackle Trout Slot Limit and Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot Limit. It should be noted that while the name of the regulation applied to Penns Creek, Section 03, will change, the current regulation in place would remain the same. This designation will go into on January 1, 2023.
Commissioners voted to approve the removal of Codorus Creek, Section 04, York County; Monocacy Creek, Section 07, Northampton County; and Saucon Creek, Section 05, Northampton County; from the Trophy Trout Artificial Lures Only program (58 Pa. Code § 65.7) and their addition to the Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot Limit program (58 Pa. Code § 65.4d). These stream sections are designated Class A wild trout streams by the PFBC. The Commission completed a biological assessment of the wild Brown Trout population in Codorus Creek, Section 04, in 2021; and assessments of Monocacy Creek, Section 07, and Saucon Creek, Section 05, were completed in 2022. Survey results indicated that the adult Brown Trout populations were comprised primarily of trout less than 12 inches in length with only a few large trout. Trophy Trout regulations focus any potential harvest on the largest fish in the population; however, due to lack of fish greater than or equal to 18 inches in length in some of these populations, the current regulations are essentially managing the fisheries for catch-and-release angling. The Commission established a new special regulation program known as the Trout Slot Limit program in 2021. The Trout Slot Limit program has two subprograms: All-Tackle Trout Slot Limit and Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot Limit. The slot limit regulations allow for year-round fishing, and the harvest of two trout per day that are at least seven inches but less than 12 inches in length from the opening day of the regular season for trout through Labor Day with no harvest permitted the remainder of the year. To improve size structure, increase the number of large trout (greater than or equal to 16 inches in length), and reduce fishing mortality on the largest fish in the populations; a change in regulations was warranted. These designations will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
Commissioners voted to adopt an amendment to regulations pertaining to the Atlantic Striped Bass fishery within the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, and River Estuary. Under this change, 58 Pa. Code § 61.2 will be amended to clarify language pertaining to the legal harvestable size range for Striped Bass and prohibit gaffing or the attempt to gaff any Striped Bass when fishing. At its May 2022 quarterly meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) which includes the Commonwealth as a member, approved Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The most recent Striped Bass stock assessment determined the stock was overfished and that overfishing was occurring. Based on these findings, the ASMFC's Striped Bass management plan calls for management actions to rebuild the stock. As part of Amendment 7, new requirements were established to address recreational release mortality, among other management plan components. Recreational release mortality is a large component of annual fishing mortality, and Amendment 7 establishes a new gear restriction which prohibits gaffing Striped Bass when fishing recreationally. This new restriction, along with the existing circle hook requirement when fishing recreationally with bait, are intended to increase the chance of survival after a Striped Bass is released alive. To align with the provisions of Amendment 7, it is recommended to prohibit the use of a gaff when fishing for Striped Bass in the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, and River Estuary. This amendment will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
The Board voted to adopt a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to fishing regulations at Sheppard-Meyers Reservoir in West Hanover Township, York County. This reservoir was completely dewatered during spring 2020 to upgrade the dam and spillway structures per Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Repairs are expected to be completed by spring 2023 with refilling initiated soon after. The Commission plans to initiate stocking the lake beginning in summer 2023 with fingerling plants of select fish species to establish a high-quality, warm-water and coolwater fishery. Under this proposal, the lake reservoir would be managed under a miscellaneous special regulation that would allow fishing at the lake immediately upon refill and allow for the harvest of trout under Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations (58 Pa. Code § 61.1), but allow only catch-and-release fishing for all other species. This approach will allow for the most rapid development of a balanced warm-water and cool-water fish community, while offering acceptable levels of recreational angling opportunities. Once the warm-water fishery is re-established, the lake will be recommended for removal from the miscellaneous special regulation and inclusion in one of the Commission’s existing warm-water regulation programs. If adopted on final rulemaking at a future meeting, this amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to approve the addition of one stream section to the list of Class A wild trout streams, the addition of 45 new waters to the PFBC's list of wild trout streams, and a revision to the section limit of one water currently listed as a wild trout stream. A list of waters proposed for wild trout stream and Class A wild trout stream designation or revision can be found on the PFBC website. All of these additions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Boating
The Board voted to amend regulations pertaining to electric boat motors. Current regulations limit boat propulsion to electric motors only on PFBC owned or controlled lakes, some State Park lakes, and waterbodies specified in 58 Pa. Code § Chapter 111 relating to special regulation counties.
Due to advancements in technology that have resulted in electric motors capable of very high horsepower and speed similar to gas-powered internal combustion engines, this amendment will change regulations to specify that electric motors may not be operated at greater than slow, no wake speed on select waters. Additionally, where horsepower limitations are prescribed, they apply to both internal combustion (i.e., gas or diesel) and electric motors. Boaters should note that internal combustion motors attached to or installed in boats do not need to be removed but these motors may not be used on these waters. This amendment will go into effect January 1, 2023.
Commissioners voted to amend boating regulations at Treasure Lake, a 379-acre lake within the grounds of a semi-private resort-style residential development in Clearfield County. In March 2022, the Treasure Lake Board of Directors voted to amend its policies to extend the maximum boat length on Treasure Lake from 25 feet to less than 26 feet, consistent with the U.S. Coast Guard's definition of a Class 1 vessel (16 feet to 25.9 feet). The Treasure Lake Board of Directors requested the PFBC adopt the same regulatory amendment in Title 58 Pa. Code so that Waterways Conservation Officers can continue to assist in enforcement of this boating regulation. This amendment will go into effect January 1, 2023.
Public Access and Real Estate
Commissioners voted to authorize the lease of an approximately 7-acre portion of property from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) located along the westerly side of Youghiogheny River Lake in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County. The site, known as Jockey Hollow Launch Area, is owned by the USACE, and had been leased previously by the PFBC for use as a free, public boat access, but the lease has expired. The new lease is for a 25-year term and requires the site to remain open for public fishing and boating, free of charge.
The Board voted to authorize the lease of a portion of the PFBC’s Lake Winola Access property in Wyoming County to Overfield Township. Under the agreement, the approximately 25-acre portion of property located on the south end of Lake Winola would be developed by the Countryside Conservancy for walking trails and maintained by the Township or a sublessee. The new lease is for a 25-year term and requires the site to remain open for public fishing and boating, free of charge.
Commissioners approved the disposition of a small portion of land (approximately .06 acres) along White Oak Road at the PFBC’s White Oak Pond property in Clinton Township, Wayne County, to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Currently, White Oak Pond is drawn down in anticipation of a dam rehabilitation project, and PennDOT intends to replace a culvert along State Route 4004 on the property’s south end as part of the project. The PFBC will receive fair market value for the property rights it conveys to PennDOT, and the project is not expected to have any long-term adverse effect on the property and will improve public safety.
The Board authorized the acquisition of two easements along Sugar Creek in Jackson Township, Venango County. Under the first agreement, the PFBC will pay $13,000 for an easement along 930 linear feet of stream. Under the second agreement with a separate property owner, the PFBC will pay $20,000 for an easement along 1,825 linear feet of stream and a parking area. Both easements will allow for public fishing, boating, and riparian and fishery management. Funding for these easements will be provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). Sugar Creek provides significant stocked trout fishing opportunities in the area, and Pennsylvania’s Fishing and Boating Access Strategy indicates a need for more access on this section of Sugar Creek.
The Board authorized the acquisition of an easement along the Little Juniata River in Antis Township, Blair County. Under the agreement, the PFBC will pay $55,000 for the easement which will allow for public fishing, boating, and riparian and fishery management along approximately 3,485 linear feet of river. Funding for this easement will be provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). The Little Juniata River provides significant wild trout fishing opportunities in the area, and Pennsylvania’s Fishing and Boating Access Strategy indicates a need for more access on this section of the Little Juniata River.
The Board authorized the acquisition of an easement along Conneaut Creek in Conneaut Township, Erie County. Under the agreement, the PFBC will pay $16,000 for the easement which will allow for public fishing, boating, and riparian and fishery management along approximately 1,120 linear feet of stream. Funding for this easement will be provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). Conneaut Creek provides significant steelhead fishing opportunities in the area, and Pennsylvania’s Fishing and Boating Access Strategy indicates a need for more access on this section of Conneaut Creek.
Special Announcements
The Board approved the following dates for its 2023 quarterly business meetings:
January 23-24, 2023
April 24-25, 2023
July 24, 25, 2023
October 23-24, 2023
The January and July 2023 meetings will be held at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The locations of the April and October 2023 meetings will be announced at a later date.
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